Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.
Welcome to the April 2021 edition of Busmopolitan.
A2B, BARBRAHAM. From 12/4/21, Herts CC SB10 (Stevenage Old Town circular) was gained from Centrebus.
ACME BUS, MOLEHILL GREEN. From Quick, Ludgvan, Cornwall was Mb 0814D/Plaxton Cheetah X173 BNH.
ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE COLCHESTER. Park and Ride ADL/Enviro 200s 4072/73 (SK15 GXS/T) and short Dart SLF/Caetano 1565 (HX04 HUK) have returned from Arriva Southend. Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 1559 (EU56 GVG) and short Dart SLF/Caetano 1562 (RX07 KPG) are back from Guildford. The Colchester Park & Ride resumed from 12/4/21. Odd sightings: 14/4/21: P&R ADL/E200 4071 on 77; R133 StreetLite 4324 on 2. 15/4/21: 4071 on 77; 4075 on 1+ 133. 16/4/21: 1565 on 8; 4075 on 77. 19/4/21: 4075 on 77; 4262 on 1. 20/4/21: 4071 on 77; 4261 on 1. 21/4/21: 4262 on 1. 26/4/21: R133 4324 on 8.
ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE HARLOW. On loan from Ware in late April were Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 3856-58 (KE54 LNR, LPC/F). Mercedes Sprinter 1012 (BF67 WGZ) was transferred in later in April, as an ancillary vehicle for route 724.
ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE SOUTHEND. Subsequent histories: ADL/Enviro 200s resold via Ensign. GN08 CGX/Y/Z, CHD -to Thandi, Smethwick.
ARROW, MALDON. Ex Hallmark Connections, Heathrow was Mb Sprinter 513/Atlas RX67 OPU.
BLUE TRIANGLE. TfL396 (Ilford-Goodmayes Hospital) continues to host the odd old Enviro 400 ‘decker alongside its usual E200 saloons. ADL/E400 E76 – still with London General fleet names, was seen on 3/4/21. E70 was on the 396 on 10/4/21.
CHAMBERS. From 12/4/21, there were further service increases in line with Government Covid relaxations. Scania N230UD/Olympuses 873/77 (PN09 EMV, ENO) are back in service following engine replacement and accident repairs respectively.
COLAS RAIL. 2/4/21: 37610 tnt 37254 on 1Q99 Cambridge-March via KLN/IPS/NOR/COL/FLX. 30/4/21: 37175 tnt 37099 on 1Q99 Cambridge-March via Ipswich, Felixstowe, Colchester, Mistley.
DBS. 12/4/21: 92032 on 0L10 Wembley-Iford light loco.
DON’S OF DUNMOW.
DRS: 11/4/21: 37402 tnt 37425 on 6P01 Great Bentley-Whitemoor engineers. 27/4/21: 88006 at Dagenham Dock. 29/4/21: 37423 on 0Z37 Willesden-Norwich light loco via GEML.
FIRST ESSEX.
The Chelmsford Park & Ride resumed from 12/4/21. The second bus into the new green livery is ADL/Enviro 200 MMC 67162 (YY66 OZX). ADL/E200 MMCs 67161/62/64 have all moved from Basildon (BN) to Chelmsford (CF). Low height Volvo B7TL/ALX400 32476 (AU53 HJK) has gone to First Eastern Counties at Ipswich in exchange for full height ex First Potteries/South Yorkshire Volvo B7TL/ALX400 31785 (YN53 EOK). Accident damaged Wright StreetLite 63340 (SM65 EEY) has been repaired. Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 37027 (YJ06 XKS) is long term VOR at CR after failing on route 70. From 12/4/21, 71E (Colchester-Chelmsford – schooldays only) was renumbered 72. Volvo B7RLE/Wright 66860 has been convered to a driver trainer and repainted red. Resold by Ensign: Trident/President 33178 (LR02 LYX) – to Shelton Motors, Ely for scrap. Odd sightings: 1/4/21: 32547 on 175; 37034/062 on 64; R62 37135 on 65; R62 37138 on 64A; R62 37139 on 75/A; Dart SLF/Pointers 42937 (SN05 DZT), 42944 (WX56 OAU) on 71A. 2/4/21: R62 37134 on 70; R62 37136 on 653/4/21: 32673 on 64A; R62 37133 on 70; R62 37134 on 61; R62 37139 on 61; Airlink 67163 on 100; X10 67164 on 8. 4/4/21: 32476 on 64A; R62 37133 on 61; R62 37136 on 65; R62 37138 on 61. 5/4/21: R62 37135 on 65; 67737 on 62. 6/4/21: 32087 on 64A; Dart SLF/Pointer 42968 (WX06 ONC) on 71A. 7/4/21: 32478 on 64A; 37006 on 103; 37017 on 64; 37062 on 104; R62 37139 on 61; Airlink 67161 on 8; X10 67164 on 8. 8/4/21: 32478 on 64A; R62 37134 on 74B; 42936 (SN05 DZS) on 71A. 9/4/21: 37004 on 64A; R62 37136 on 65; R62 37138 on 75/A; 42932 (SN05 EAP) on 71A; Airlink 67163 on 5B. 10/4/21: R62 37135 on 2A; Airlink 67163 on 8. 12/4/21: P&R 67190 on 71. 13/4/21: 32669 on 67; 37042/053 on 103; R62 37133 on 64; R62 37135/39 on 61; 42927 (SN05 EAF) on 71A; Airlink 67163 on 65; X10 67164 on 36; P&R 67192 (SN66 WKO) on 71; P&R 67193 (SN66 WKP) on 73. 14/4/21: 32068 on 175; 32673 on 67; 67062 on 103; R62 37133 on 65; 44900 (AY08 EKP) on 71A; X10 67160 on 71; Airlink 67161 on 25; 67162 on 40; P&R 67192 on 31X. 15/4/21: 32476 on 175; 37054 on 67C; 37042 on 103; 44900 on 71A; X10 67160 on 71A; Airlink 67161 on 8A; X10 67164 on 36; P&R 67190 on 71; P&R 67192 on 31C. 16/4/21: 32087on 103; 32477 on 67; 32673 on 67; 37005 on 103; 37007 on 104; 37016/017 on 66; 27020 on 102; R62 37133 on 75; R62 37139 on 1A; 42923 (EU05 AUP) on 71A; Airlink 67161 on 8; P&R 67191 on 31C; P&R 67192 on 31X; 67735 on 62. 17/4/21: 32478 on 64; 37006 on 64A; 37017/020 on 103; R62 37133 on 65; 37140 on 67; X10 67164 on 40. 18/4/21: 32478 on 64; 32669 on 67B; 32673 on 64; 37004 on 64A; 37010 on 102; 37035 on 66; 37042 on 102; R62 37139 on 61. 19/4/21: 37004 on 102; 37005 on 103; 37016 on 64A; 37017 on 175/174; 37036 on 67; R62 37133 on 61; 42968 (WX06 ONC) on 71A; X10 67160 on 71A; Airlink 67161 on 100; P&R 67192 on 31X; P&R 67194 on 31C. 20/4/21: 32087 on 67C; 32629 on 64; 32669 on 175; 37016 on 103; 37037 on 67; 37054 on 102; R62 37134 on 61; 42932 (SN05 EAP) on 71A; X10 670160 on 40; P&R 67190 on 31X; P&R 67193 on 31C. 21/4/21: 32669 on 102; 37020/37 on 103; 37053 on 64; 37140 on 67; 42931 (SN05 EAO) on 71A; X10 67160 on 40; P&R 67193 on 31X; P&R 67194 on 31C. 22/4/21: 32087 on 64; 37005 on 17; 37006 on 175/174; 37037 on 102; 37042 on 103; R62 37134 on 88; 42922 (EU05 AUO) on 71A; X10 67160 on 40; P&R 67190 on 31c; P&R 67193 on 31B. 23/4/21: 37004 on 67; 37005 on 17; 37053 on 103; R62 37133 on 61; R62 37134 on 88/A; R62 37139 on 61; 42934 (SN05 DZP) on 71A; P&R 67193 on 31C; P&R 67194 on 31B. 24/4/21: 37007 on 64A; R62 37136 on 70; R62 37138 on 68; R62 37139 on 61; 37140 on 64. 25/4/21: 37015 on 67B; 37034 on 66; 37042 on 64A; 37062 on 64; R62 37133 on 70; R62 37136 on 65; 37140 on 102; P&R 67190 on 8A.26/4/21: 32477 on 102; 37010/015 on 67; 37020 on 175/174; 37062 on 103; 42936 (SN05 DZS) on 71A; P&R 67191 on 31C; P&R 67194 on 31X.27/4/21: 32068 on 174; 32477 on 67C; 32478 on 66; 37004 on 102; 37016 on 10; 37017 on 64; 37054 on 67; R62 37134 on 61; R62 37136 on 88; R62 37139 on 65; 42927 (SN05 EAF) on 71A; P&R 67189 on 31X; P&R 67191 on 31C; P&R 67192 on 31B.3 28/4/21: 37015 on 103; 37037 on 67; 37054 on 102; R62 37133 on 67C; R62 37134 on 65; R62 37138 on 75; 37140 on 66; 66872 on 75; P&R 67191/94 on 31X. 29/4/21: 32669 on 64A; 37004 on 67; 37017 on 102; R62 37133 on 67C + 75; R62 37134/35 on 61; 42933 (SN05 DZO) on 71A; X10 67160 on 71A; P&R 67189 on 31X; P&R 67190 on 31C; P&R 67191 on 31B. 30/4/21: 32087 on 104/102; 32628 on 64; 37005 on 104/175/174; 37016 on 103/175; 37042 on 66; 37062 on 104/103; r62 37133 on 61; R62 37134 on 75; R62 37138 on 61; x10 67160 on 40; Airlink 67163 on 100; P&R 67190 on 31X/B; P&R 67192 on 71; P&R 67193 on 31X; P&R 67196 on 42A/31B/X.
FOURWAYS, CHELMSFORD. Ex Bear Busers, Shepperton, via Ensign is Trident/ALX400 V479 KJN.
FREIGHTLINER. 1/4/21: 90006/003 on 4M45 FLX-Garston. 90009/045 on 4L91 Trafford-FLX – with 90008 added on 4M87 return. 90016/046 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX. 90049/047 on 4L91 Trafford-FLX. 8/4/21: 90009/045 on 4L89. 90003/043 on 4L91. 90041/010 on 4L97. 90049/047 on 4M45. 9/4/21: 90003/043 on 4L91 and 4M87 return. 90008/004 on 4L89. 10/4/21: 90041/010 on 4L97. 12/4/21: 66593 + 90014 DIT + 66512 on 4M63 FLX-Trafford. 90044/006 on 4L91. 13/4/21: 90006/0454 on 4L91. 90009/016 + 90005 DIT on 4L89 Crewe-FLX failed at Ilford with flat on wagon 93484 and eventually recovered to Ilford. 90013/007 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX. 19/4/21: 900044/06 on 4M87. 28/4/21: 90003/042 on 4L91. 90045/009 on 4L89. 29/4/21: 90003/042 on 4L91. 90012/011 on 4L89. 30/4/21: 66510 on 4L91/4M87. 90008/049 on 4M45. 90016/017 on 4L89.
GBRf. 1/4/21: 66728 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks. 6/4/21: 66722 on 4L04 Hams Hall-FLX. 7/4/21: 66742 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks. 8/4/21: 66757 on 4L02. 10/4/21: 66746 on 4L43 Doncaster-Parkeston. 12/4/21: 66750 on 6L37 Hoo-Whitemoor. 13/4/21: 66721 on 4L02 Hams Hall-FLX. 66725 on 4L28 Doncaster-FLX. 29/4/21: 66761 on London Gateway-Masboro. 30/4/21: 66766 on 4L28 Doncaster-FLX.
GREATER ANGLIA.
Class 317s are now in steep decline, as more new Class 720s come on stream. The Stratford-Meridian Waters shuttle is now worked by Class 379s. 317505/649/60/64/65/67/68/70, 321346/352/53/55/59/61/62, 321422 have gone to Sims Metals, Newport for scrap. 317654/61/69 to Eastleigh Works for scrap. 3/4/21: 720547/553 stabled in Colchester yard. 7/4/21: 317670/505 on 5Q35 Ely-Newport scrap move behind GBRf 66711. 9/4/21: 321346/353 on Clacton-Newport scrap move behind ROG 37884. 10/4/21: 720547/553 stabled in Colchester yard. 12/4/21: 317667/65/64 on 5Q30 ELY-Newport scrap move behind GBRf 66713. 13/4/21: 317654/61 on 5Q42 Ely-Eastleigh scrap move behind ROG 37884. 321422/352 on 5Q76 Clacton-Newport scrap move behind ROG 57312. 17/4/21: 317515 on Liverpool St-Hertford Easts. 720542 + 556 in Colchester yard. 745107 on Liverpool St-Norwichs. 20/4/21: 717710/709 on 2H04 LST-Cambridge. 720549/551 on training on Lea Valley lines. 23/4/21: 321359/55 Clacton to Newport for scrap behind ROG 57312. 24/4/21: 317340 on LST-Hertford East; 317884 on LST-Cambridge North; 745005 on Stansted Express. 26/4/21: 317649 from Ely to to Sims for scrap behind ROG 37884. 28/4/21: 317668/660 Ely-Newport for scrap behind ROG 57312. 29/4/21: 317669 on Ely-Eastleigh for scrap behind ROG 57312. 30/4/21: 321361/62 towed Clacton-Newport for scrap behind ROG 37884.
HEDINGHAM. There were further service increases from 12/4/21, in line with Government Covid 19 guidelines. Volvo B7TL/EL 506 (PJ02PYW) is on loan Konect and at Sible Hedingham (HD), covering for long term VOR B7TL/Gemini 514 (LB02 YXF). Ex Carousel short ADL/Enviro 200 283 (OU57 FGV) was delivered to Sible Hedingham in early April, and soon appeared at Kelvedon (KN). Sister 284 (OU57 FGX) is at HD awaiting entry to service after refurbishment – which includes fitting of a new floor in the forward low floor section. Scania Omnidekka 815 (YN5 PZW) collided with the low railway bridge at Kirby Cross, and is now under repair. Accident damaged ADL/Enviro 400 616 (SN10 CCV) is being repaired at Clacton workshop. Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 291 (EU06 KCX) is parked up at HD with a failed engine. Scania Omnilink 457 (AU61 AVK) is again loaned by HD to Clacton (CN), with Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 525 (LX05 EZH) coming to HD in exchange. Odd sightings: 13/4/21: B7TL/President 574 on TLA C pm; B7TL/President 575 on 15 pm; Omnidekka 820 on TLA A am. 23/4/21: B7TL/Gemini 527 on 15 pm. 27/4/21: B7TL/President 580 on 74 + X76. 29/4/21: B7TL/President 580 on 63 + 19. Omnidekka movements: w/e 10/4/21: 820 – CN-KN. 16/4/21: 810 – Chambers-KN. w/e 17/4/21: 820 – KN-CN. 19/4/21: 800 – KN-Chambers; 809 – Chambers-KN. 21/4/21: 800 – Chambers-KN; 809 – KN-Chambers; 814 – KN-CN. 27/4/21: 800 – KN-Chambers; 806 – Chambers-KN.
IPSWICH BUSES.
Optare Solo 241 has received fleet names, some time after its repaint. Pictured (above) on Felixstowe Road, Ipswich on 3/4/21. DAF DB250LF/EL 56 has received the new livery, ex the classic green/cream scheme. Only a few double deckers remain in the old “battenberg” green/light blue/white livery. Odd sightings: 14/4/21: Tempo 87 (YJ12 GWA) on 93. 15/4/21: Long ADL/E200 74 (DU60 LOJ) on 4 + 11. 23/4/21: Long ADL/E200 75 (GD10 MVM) on 4 + 11.
LONDON GENERAL NORTH. Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis WVL358/59 (LX60 DWJ/K) have moved to Metrobus at Croydon fro use on ex RATP TfL schools service 633.
LONDON UNDERGROUND. A refresh programme has begun for the Central Line 1992 Tube Stock.
MTR ELIZABETH LINE. Possible newcomers to the east side are Aventras 345017/031/038/056. 24/4/21: 315856 + 838 on Shenfield to LSTs – very unusual for a Saturday now. 315826/51 have gone to Sims Metals at Newport for scrap. 15/4/21: 315826/51 – Ilford to Newport for scrap.
NATIONAL EXPRESS. From 12/4/21, services 075 (Cambridge-London), 737 (Stansted-Oxford), 777 (Birmingham-Stansted) resumed, along with new route 076 (Cambridge-Stansted).
NIBS, WICKFORD.
PANTHER TRAVEL.
SV08 GXP is an ex Stagecoach Bluebird/Scottish Citylink via Coach Hire Surrey Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther, which has been re-registered VB08 PAN. Ex Stagecoach East Scotland Volvo B12T/Panther SJ57 AAY is also here (via Ensign), but for spare parts only. Leyland Olympian/ECW coach D510 PPU has been acquired as a heritage vehicle; this had latterly been in Norfolk. Ex Arriva London ADL/Enviro 200s re-registered are LJ09 KPR to DB09 PAN, LJ09 KPT to AS09 PAN, LJ09 KPU to AB09 PAN, LJ09 KRD to VB09 PAN. The previous ADL/E200 carrying DB09 PAN was re-registered back to YX10 BDY and then to DB10 PAN. LJ09 KPR/T were initially used in London red on rail replacement. All are now receiving single door conversion and Panther fleet livery. Trident/ALX400 V130 MEV is now BIG 7596. Optare Solos CE52 UWR, FY52 RZC have been sold, unused to Trustybus/Central Connect, Roydon. Also sold are ADL/Enviro 200s YX10 BFJ ex DB10 PAN, YX62 FCA ex DC62 PAN – both to Taw & Torridge Coaches.
RAILWAY MISCELLANEOUS. Three JHA type bodie hoppers in siding at Bow by mid April. 1 MRL, 1 Tourax and 1 Yeoman.
ROG. 8/4/21: 37884 on 0L52 Leicester-Colchester light loco. 57002 on 0M80 Norwich-Willesden light loco via GEML and NLL. 57312 on 0Z05 Norwich-Clacton light loco.
STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.
It has been announced that the heritage Routemaster worked TfL 15H route (Tower Hill-Trafalgar Square) will not run again. It had not operated since 2019 – pre Covid-19.
STEPHENSONS. A 2nd Omnidekka on loan to Galloway was 639 (YN55 NKK).
TG TRAVEL/A1 COACH COMPANY, COLCHESTER. Volvo B12B/Sideral FJ10 DNU is back in use. It had been SORNED during the Covid lockdowns.
THORNS OF RAYLEIGH. The depot has moved to Rawreth Industrial Estate from Bowers Gifford (the old S&M base).
TOWER TRANSIT. Volvo B9TL/Wright Geminis resold by Ensign: BJ11 DSX – to Tyrers, Manchester; BJ11 DVX – Shiel Buses, Fort William; BJ11 DZY, EBP – London Borough of Havering; BJ11 EAF – ASD, Strood.
Above: The ADL/Enviro 400s which passed to Go-Ahead London in 2019, have since been spread far and wide across this fleet. TT DN33614 now GAL EN28, was originally posted to Orpington (Metrobus), then at Bexleyheath (London Central), but had moved to Merton (London General), by the time it was spotted in Tooting on 3/4/21. So this bus has been more travelled with its subsequent owner ! It had only worked from Lea Interchange when with Tower Transit and before that First Capital. (John Podgorski).
TRUSTYBUS/CENTRAL CONNECT, ROYDON. Ex Arriva London ADL/Enbviro 200 LX58 AVE is via Ensign. From 12/4/21, the following Herts CC contracts were gained from Centrebus. 308/380 (Hertford-Cuffley), 333 (Pinehurst-Bengeo), 378/379 (Hertford-Stevenage), M1-5 (Ware Town Services). This was due to Centrebus closing its Stevenage depot from 10/4/21.
VECTARE, CHELMSFORD. From 6/4/21, new commercial service 62 (Blackmore-Edney Common) commenced.
With thanks to: S Austin, C Barham, T Cullum, L Harrison, A Hazell, D Pretty, R West.
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